As the title says I have finally got around to picking up another H&K handgun.. a year or so ago I had a H&K P7 in 9mm and although an interesting gun in it's own right. I could never get used to the grip safety and cleaning of the fluted chamber.
So yesterday I went out and picked myself up a lightly used H&K USP variant 1 in 45 auto, and all I have to say is I LIKE THIS GUN.
First impressions:
I have handled USP's in the past at gun shows and from a few friend's that have owned them..but I never took the time to see how my point of aim would be with one of these guns especially with the larger 45 model compared to say the 9mm. Although it is a larger pistol then what I am used too it still felt right in my hand, and despite it's size I could still operate the magazine release and thumb safety without much difficulty.
Shooting impressions:
Right after I picked this beast up from the shop, I went with the guy I bought it from to the Muncie rifle & pistol club. Being he is a member he had me come in as a guest to try the place out. *More on that in a different thread*.
I started off with my Glock 19 as a warm up and fired from about 30 feet. After running a few mags I decided it was time to give the USP a try. The ammo used was some Russian Tula 45 FMJ's. I fired the weapon in both double action and single action and for some reason I was hitting the targets better with the USP then with my Glock. I am not sure if that's because it has three dot sights opposed to the Glock's factory sights. But even with the gun's larger caliber it was much easier to hit paper with. Also recoil in my opinion was no more significant then with the Glock 19.
Things I noted about the gun and my experience so far:
Pro's:
1. I like that the gun can be carried as a double action hammer down safety on or off, or in single action mode cocked & locked like a 1911.
2. I like the three dot sights on it, they made follow up shots much easier.
3. I really like the recoil reduction system, it made shooting the 45 feel like a 9mm.
4. I like that it has an ambi mag release.
Con's:
1. It's an expensive gun.
2. Extra mags are also expensive and somewhat hard to find unless I order them or look around at a Gun show. No places in town carry them.
3. It's still a big pistol and I am unsure if I will ever try to CCW this weapon.
4. The proprietary rail although it makes the gun look more uniform..if I ever decide to get a light installed I will have to find an adapter first.
5. Apparently H&K customer service sucks.
Final impression:
I really like this gun, and I really enjoyed shooting it. As said above I can't say if I will ever try carrying this as a personal defense weapon..but I am now giving serious thought on replacing my Glock 19 with a H&K USP compact in 9mm as my go too carry gun. In my opinion if you got the money to buy one you should give it a try. You get what you pay for speaks volumes with this gun.
and finally here's a pic I took after cleaning. Sorry if it's a little blurry as it was taken with my cell.
So yesterday I went out and picked myself up a lightly used H&K USP variant 1 in 45 auto, and all I have to say is I LIKE THIS GUN.
First impressions:
I have handled USP's in the past at gun shows and from a few friend's that have owned them..but I never took the time to see how my point of aim would be with one of these guns especially with the larger 45 model compared to say the 9mm. Although it is a larger pistol then what I am used too it still felt right in my hand, and despite it's size I could still operate the magazine release and thumb safety without much difficulty.
Shooting impressions:
Right after I picked this beast up from the shop, I went with the guy I bought it from to the Muncie rifle & pistol club. Being he is a member he had me come in as a guest to try the place out. *More on that in a different thread*.
I started off with my Glock 19 as a warm up and fired from about 30 feet. After running a few mags I decided it was time to give the USP a try. The ammo used was some Russian Tula 45 FMJ's. I fired the weapon in both double action and single action and for some reason I was hitting the targets better with the USP then with my Glock. I am not sure if that's because it has three dot sights opposed to the Glock's factory sights. But even with the gun's larger caliber it was much easier to hit paper with. Also recoil in my opinion was no more significant then with the Glock 19.
Things I noted about the gun and my experience so far:
Pro's:
1. I like that the gun can be carried as a double action hammer down safety on or off, or in single action mode cocked & locked like a 1911.
2. I like the three dot sights on it, they made follow up shots much easier.
3. I really like the recoil reduction system, it made shooting the 45 feel like a 9mm.
4. I like that it has an ambi mag release.
Con's:
1. It's an expensive gun.
2. Extra mags are also expensive and somewhat hard to find unless I order them or look around at a Gun show. No places in town carry them.
3. It's still a big pistol and I am unsure if I will ever try to CCW this weapon.
4. The proprietary rail although it makes the gun look more uniform..if I ever decide to get a light installed I will have to find an adapter first.
5. Apparently H&K customer service sucks.
Final impression:
I really like this gun, and I really enjoyed shooting it. As said above I can't say if I will ever try carrying this as a personal defense weapon..but I am now giving serious thought on replacing my Glock 19 with a H&K USP compact in 9mm as my go too carry gun. In my opinion if you got the money to buy one you should give it a try. You get what you pay for speaks volumes with this gun.
and finally here's a pic I took after cleaning. Sorry if it's a little blurry as it was taken with my cell.
Ditto! USP9, USP40c and USP45 
